Developmental Milestones

Fine Motor Milestones

Fine motor skills involve small finger and hand movements necessary for tasks such as grasping, holding, and manipulating objects. It's important to note that every child's developmental journey is unique, so the developmental ranges provided are average guidelines and not an exhaustive list.

Birth to 6 months:

0-2 months: Reflexive grasp (child will automatically close hand around an object placed in their palm).
2-4 months: Begins to swipe at and bat at objects.
4-6 months: Develops a raking grasp (reaching with all their fingers except the thumb to pick up an object

6 to 12 months:

6-9 months: Transfers objects from one hand to the other.
9-12 months: Uses a pincer grasp (thumb and index) to pick up small objects.

12 to 24 months:

12-18 months: Stacks 2-3 blocks.
18-24 months: Scribbles with a crayon or marker; begins to use utensils with some control

2 to 3 years:

2 years: Turns pages of a book one at a time; builds a tower of 4-6 blocks.
3 years: Draws a circle, may begin to copy simple shapes.

3 to 5 years:

3-4 years: Cuts along a line with safety scissors; can draw simple shapes like squares and triangles.
4-5 years: Draws simple human figures (head, arms, and legs), and may start writing their name.

5 to 6 years:

5-6 years: Ties shoes; uses utensils like a pro; writes legibly.

Gross Motor Milestones

Gross motor skills involve larger movements using the arms, legs, and torso, such as walking, running, jumping, and climbing. It's important to note that every child's developmental journey is unique, so the developmental ranges provided are average guidelines and not an exhaustive list.

Birth to 6 months:

0-2 months: Reflexive movements, such as kicking and stretching.
2-4 months: Lifts head while on stomach; begins to roll from side to side.
4-6 months: Pushes up while on stomach; sits with support.

6 to 12 months:

6-9 months: Sits independently; begins to crawl or scoot on the belly.
9-12 months: Pulls up to stand; cruises along furniture.

12 to 24 months:

12-18 months: Walks independently; may take steps backward.
18-24 months: Walks, runs, and kicks a ball; begins to climb stairs with assistance.

2 to 3 years:

2 years: Runs more confidently; walks up stairs one step at a time (with handrails).
3 years: Jumps with both feet off the ground; climbs well on play structures.

3 to 5 years:

3-4 years: Hops on one foot; walks up and down stairs without assistance.
4-5 years: Skips, rides a tricycle, and catches a ball with two hands.

5 to 6 years:

5-6 years: Rides a bike with training wheels; runs smoothly and quickly; can do somersaults.

Pencil Grip Development

Children around the age of one typically begin to use inefficient grasp patterns when holding writing tools, often gripping a pencil or crayon with all their fingers and thumb wrapped around it. At this stage, they rely on their whole arm to move the writing tool during paper/pencil and coloring tasks, which can lead to fatigue over time. These early grasp patterns also limit hand control, making it difficult to perform tasks like handwriting and coloring with precision. As a child develops, they gradually progress toward a more mature grasp, where the thumb, index, and middle fingers stabilize the writing tool, allowing the smaller muscles in the hand to take over and provide greater control and accuracy.

These milestones are important not only for writing and coloring, but also for developing a child's overall hand-eye coordination, which plays a key role in tasks ranging from playing with toys to using utensils and dressing independently.

Fine Motor Milestones

Birth to 6 months:

6 to 12 months:

12 to 24 months:

2 to 3 years:

3 to 5 years:

5 to 6 years:

Birth to 6 months:

6 to 12 months:

12 to 24 months:

2 to 3 years:

3 to 5 years:

5 to 6 years:

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